Sex after a hysterectomy can even feel better than before?
If your doctor has suggested a hysterectomy, you may be worried about the procedure’s impact on your sexual health. However, individuals who need to take care of internal pain can rest assured that sexual intercourse with their partner will still be pleasurable.
Before you get the hysterectomy procedure, learn as much as you can. Knowing more about the effects of a hysterectomy can make you feel confident about your decision. Although other people may have differing opinions, knowing whether this is the right move for you is essential to leading a healthy and happy life.
Let’s discuss the facts about why sex after hysterectomy will not only feel good but can feel even better than before the procedure.
What is a Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes the uterus. Women typically have a hysterectomy due to medical problems, personal concerns, or a history of cancer making it dangerous not to remove the uterus. Although there can be some hysterectomy side effects and risks, such as bleeding, proper after-care and waiting the appropriate amount of time before having sex again can have favorable results.
But are there other options for women with pelvic pain and bleeding besides a hysterectomy? For many, this life-changing procedure can seem too drastic.
The other options for women dealing with daily pain are typically less effective and less long-lasting — meaning a hysterectomy is indeed the best option.
The other options can actually be riskier than removing the uterus. Suppose a woman is suffering from fibroids, endometriosis, or uterine bleeding. In those cases, there is a higher risk of nerve damage, fibroids cutting off blood flow to the uterus, and painful side effects of ongoing endometriosis.
Why Should I Choose a Hysterectomy?
There are many reasons why women may choose to have a hysterectomy. The main reason is to begin leading a pain-free and healthy life.
The most common conditions that influence the need for surgery are:
- Adenomyosis – The uterine tissue grows into the uterine muscle, leading to pain and heavy bleeding.
- Endometriosis – This common condition causes endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus, causing severe pain between menstrual cycles.
- Uterine prolapse – The uterus slips out of its usual place, protruding into the vagina, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Heavy vaginal bleeding – Cancer or hormonal changes can cause hefty bleeding.
- Uterine fibroids – Fibroids are growths in the uterus walls that can cause heavy bleeding.
- Cancer – A hysterectomy is typically the safest and best option for uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer or precancer.
Even though there are numerous treatments for these conditions today, hysterectomy is still considered the most effective.
How Long do I have to wait to have Sex After a Hysterectomy?
If you’ve recently had or are considering a hysterectomy you might be wondering how long you have to wait to resume sex. Remember that not all hysterectomies are the same — some people will have a longer recovery time or a more complicated surgery that can influence the recovery period.
With our outpatient laparoscopic hysterectomy, you’ll have a shorter recovery time than more complicated and invasive abdominal hysterectomies.
Do you still have a uterus after a hysterectomy?
Well, every case is different. In some cases, a total hysterectomy may be performed. This is when the entire uterus and cervix get removed. For some, a partial or subtotal hysterectomy is enough and the cervix is left intact. The third option is a radical hysterectomy, which includes removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
No matter the type of hysterectomy performed, it’s still a surgical procedure and your body will need time to recover before resuming sexual activity. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests that patients avoid inserting anything into the vagina for at least six weeks to avoid any damage or risk of infection. This wait also gives your body time to clear any residual bleeding or discharge.
Sometimes sex is okay before the six-week mark depending on your hysterectomy recovery time. If you are unsure, it is always best to wait. However, you can speak with your doctor to see how your hysterectomy recovery is progressing.
Total recovery time and level of discomfort will also depend on the hysterectomy technique your surgeon uses. Abdominal hysterectomies are the most invasive, followed by vaginal hysterectomies, and then our minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy.
The effect of hysterectomy on sexual function
Because your ovaries are responsible for estrogen production, a radical hysterectomy or oophorectomy (ovary removal) will radically alter your body’s hormone levels. The loss of estrogen production will trigger menopause, no matter what your age.
Two common side effects of menopause are decreased sexual desire and vaginal dryness – which can reduce sexual pleasure. Your gynecologist can prescribe you hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or vaginal estrogen creams to help resolve these sexual problems.
Is sex still good after a hysterectomy?
The one thing that women can be reassured about is that sex will not feel worse. For some women after the hysterectomy surgery, sex will feel the same. However, for some women, it will feel even better! Since the hysterectomy can remove painful internal structures of the body that were causing discomfort, pain, and bleeding, sex will feel even more pleasurable than before.
Studies have shown that the majority of women who have had a hysterectomy say their sex life stayed the same or got better. One researcher surveyed 1,000 women who had hysterectomies. Most of them felt that the hysterectomy did not majorly change their life, but for those who had painful or uncomfortable sex before, the intercourse drastically improved after the surgery.
Can you still have an orgasm after a hysterectomy?
Can a woman orgasm after a hysterectomy? Women will be relieved to hear that, yes, you can still have an orgasm after a hysterectomy. If you are worried about how to have an orgasm after hysterectomy, for most women, the orgasm and pleasure center will stay the same.
However, some psychological or mental changes may follow the surgery. Some women may feel an increase in their sex drive, whereas others may have no sex drive after hysterectomy. You and your partner can try making changes to your sex life, such as increasing clitoral or G-spot stimulation to increase pleasure and get in the mood.
If you’re still experiencing sexual dysfunction, consult with your doctor. There are plenty of treatments you can try to improve your sexual well-being.
How can I make sex better after a hysterectomy?
If you find that vaginal dryness or discomfort is causing you to have trouble with sex after the procedure, there are some tips to make the experience better for yourself:
- Use lube
- Go slowly
- Listen to your body
And remember that penetration isn’t the only way to be intimate with your partner. Most women experience the most pleasurable sexual sensations from external genital stimulation. Starting with stimulation of the clitoris or labia can also increase sexual response and improve the sensation of vaginal penetration.
Our final word on sex after hysterectomy
As you already know, our answer is yes! Sex can feel better after a hysterectomy. How you go about it is entirely up to you, of course.
That being said, if you follow the tips we’ve provided and make sure you listen to your body as much as possible, your sex life can and will be as vibrant as before the surgery – if not better!
About The Outpatient Hysterectomy Center
As two of the nation’s leading obstetrics and gynecology surgeons, Drs. Thaïs Aliabadi and Ramon Yera offer the very best in women’s health care. Together with their warm professional team, they create a special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.
We invite you to establish care with the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center. Please click here to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located to patients residing throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. At the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, we are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles, to name a few.
